Trooper pulls woman, child from van in creek

An eastern Missouri mother and her 4-year-old daughter are recovering from minor injuries after a minivan crashed through a guard rail, overturned several times and ended up in a creek.

The accident happened about 7:30 a.m. in Jefferson County, near Barnhart. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the 41-year-old driver lost control on U.S. 61 and ended up in the creek.

The woman unbuckled her daughter from her car seat but couldn't get out because water was at door level. Trooper Trevor Elliston waded into the water and carried the girl to safety, then went back and got the woman.

Both the mother and child were taken to a hospital for evaluation of minor injuries.